Southern XC - Wasing

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BY: Louise Robinson

Published: 13th May, 2012

Ever do something completely innocuous before a race and live to regret it? I should have never spent Saturday afternoon pumping up the kid's inflatables - this morning my forearms felt like I had dragged myself round an XC course by the fingertips. Awhhhh

 

But sore arms aside, this was my first time riding at Wasing, so I made sure I arrived early in plenty of time for a pre-ride. The course was predominantly twisty single track with nothing tricky except one steep drop. All the climbing was concentrated into a steady drag uphill at the very beginning of the course and the worst section by far was the start/finish field. Having been caught out at the last round at Pippingford, I had a selection of tyres in the back of the car but the Rocket Rons seemed perfectly grippy enough so I left well alone. I was half expecting a really big turnout for this race, given the fact the national champs will be held here later in the year but probably because all the regional championships were held today the ladies field was its usual sparse self.

 

So the course looked fine, the kids were safely deposited with their grandparents and there was nothing left to do but line-up. Sally Bigham was a vision in green and black (it has to be said, when your bike colour matches your kit you do seriously look the part) and was set to give Jo Munden and Rachael Fenton a run for their money in the Elite race.

 

Myself, Fay Cripps, Anna Cipullo, Leona Kadir and Anna McGlaughlin lined up for the 3 lap Expert race behind the Elites and in front of the Masters, Vets and Sport ladies. At the whistle I didn't get the best start in the world but settled into the climb behind the Elites, Leona in Expert and Liz Gilmore in Masters. Sally led us out and quickly disappeared in a cloud of dust. Jo Munden initially looked set to follow her but obviously decided that down that road lies only pain and misery later, so she too settled down to her own fast paced ride.

 

 

Sally Bigham leads out the Senior Ladies categories

 

 

My first mistake came at the big drop in. As we were all pretty close together at this point a queue was forming with Fay in front of me and I decided that I would be sneaky and use the B line to gain a place or two. No chance! The B line was significantly slower and I ended up losing a place to Emma Bradley in Elite. By the end of the lap I had regained the place but by now Fay was right on the edge of my sight line. On Lap 2 the climb felt a little steeper and a little longer but I took the A line at the drop off and lost no time, and managed to dig deep and pass both Rachel Fenton and Liz Glimore. By lap 3 I was in my own little bubble and just enjoyed myself. I finished second, exactly 1 minute behind Fay and can honestly say I had great fun.

 

 

The Bluebell Woods were crying out for a picnic basket and a jug of Pimms

 

I think I have discovered the secret of recovery drink. I had always been very sceptical of these tepid, watery milkshakes that taste revolting and seem to cost the earth. However, as anyone with kids will attest, it is not the racing that is the hard part. It is going home and running around after the family for the rest of the day which really does you in. So, I thought, I should give it a try. After a couple of experiments I think I have found the answer. The morning of the race I fill a large water bottle to 500ml with ice and then top up with water to the 500ml line. I then take this in a cooler bag with an ice pack to the race and make up my Accelerade Vanilla R4 Recovery drink after the race. This results in an ice cold, really creamy milkshake that I actually enjoy drinking (rather than the usual "swallow and think of England" approach that seems to be required by much energy food). I don't know if it is ever going to make me faster on my bike but it seems to give me just a little more energy for running around after the kids for the rest of the day and (also very importantly) staves off the usual post -race nibbles.

 

And that is the end of my XC racing session! The next race for me will be Erlestoke 12 in two weeks' time, then off on holiday with the family. Once we get into June the enduro season starts with vengeance, and Mayhem, Bontrager 24:12 and SITS are on the horizon.  Happy days!

 

Louise Robinson

XCracer.com

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